Improvement in variable nozzles



UNITED STATES WILLIAM LEGGEIT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN VARIABLE NOZZLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 157,526, dated December 8, 1874; application filed July 15, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM Lneencrr, of New York city, in the State of New York, have invented certain Improvements relating to Variable Nozzles, of which the following is a specification:

The nozzle is specially designed to serve in connection with hose-pipes in the delivery of water from fire-engines. It delivers a smooth stream under all conditions, and is adapted to Withstand a great pressure, and to be adjusted conveniently and with great nieety.

It is often necessary in throwing water upon a burning building, after throwing to a great height byejecting with great force through a nozzle, to change the area of the nozzle, in order to throwlarge quantities under less pressure to a lower level, as upon the first floor or into a mass of ruins in a cellar.

My construction is strong and durable, adapted to be conveniently held and guided like the ordinary nozzle, but allows of gradual change of area between wide limits, without interrupting the stream, or materially interfering with its smoothness and roundness.

The following is a description of what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.

Figure l is a central longitudinal section. The right-hand side of the figure shows the main or unchangeable portion of the nozzle in elevation, and presents an exterior view of the adjustable inclined staves'or slats. The left-hand side is a central section through the whole, and shows the interior of the sheetmetal lining, which is arranged within the ad justable staves. Fig. 2 is an end view with the nozzle contracted, and Fig. 3 is an end view with the nozzle enlarged. Fig. 4 is a section, showing a spring'stop, which I introduce to prevent the inadvertent opening of the nozzle too far.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

I employ a series of staves, something like those of a barrel, but each a little too wide to apply in the same manner, and arrange them so that one edge of each overlaps its neigh- 1101'. One end of each is hinged or connected able stout ring does not stand alone, but is a part of an inclosing-tube, so that if any water should leak out through the joints of the overlapped staves it will soon fill up the space between the outer case or tube, and relieve the staves from pressure. Beyond the ring the inclosing case or tube extends sufficiently to afford a perfect protection for the delicate inclosed work. Though the inner surface of the staves may be made smooth, and approximating to a circle, I employ an inside lining of thin sheet-brass, German silver, or other material that is elastic and will not oxidize, and construct this lining in several pieces, so adjusted that it will coil up and uncoil as the staves are cramped together or allowed to expand. The thin lining-pieces extend lengthwise up and down the interior of the nozzle. They are wide enough to overlap when in the most extended condition.

In the figures, A is the fixed portion, to which the hose (not represented) may be firmly attached in the ordinary manner. This portion is provided with a cleanly-cut screw-thread, as indicated by A; but a narrow surface, extending longitudinally across the threads, is sunk lower, and graduated with a scale of equal parts, as indicated by A To the outer end of the fixed nozzle A are hinged the strong staves B by means of strong joints 1;. They form a series quite around, overlapping upon each other, more or less, according as they are contracted together or allowed to expand. D is a movable part, having a long internallythreaded portion, D which matches upon the male screw A The inner face of the turning part D bears against the outer faces of the staves B, and prevents them from expanding too much under the strong internal pressure of the water when in use. I will designate as the ring D the bearing-surface of the interior of the part D adjacent to the threaded portion D It is of a little less diameter PATENT QFFIGEK" thin spring-brass, or analogous material, with than the hinged ends of the series of staves B. As the turning part D is turned in one direction or the other, its bearing-ring D changes its position outward or inward on the staves B, and correspondingly contracts or expands the area of the nozzle. As the movable piece D D is moved outward by turning it around on the threaded portion A, it uncovers more and more of the scale A by observing which the operator may know to what diameter his nozzle is adjusted. A rabbet is formed in the interior of the outer end of the fixed nozzle, adapted to receive two concentric hoops or rings, E E which are held in place by pins or screws I, and carry rivets c, which secure the thin liningsheets G, which lap their edges one upon another, as represented, and serve in all positions as a lining for the staves B. These plates should be formed of their edges smoothly chamfered, so as to induce little disturbance in the smoothness of the stream. As the ring D D is turned to adjust it outward on the'staves B, and the latter gradually expand, the lining-plates Gr, preferably four in number, correspondingly slide upon each other, and expand to match.

It is easy to adjust my nozzle from a contracted size to a more expanded one while in active use. When it is necessary'to contract again from a large gentle stream to a small violent one, it will be preferable to slacken the force of the stream for a few moments to allow the staves B and the inclosed liningplates G to be moved inward against only a gentle resistance. After they have been adjusted sufficiently, the full force of the stream may be again turned on.

Heretofore, in order to exchange the nozzles of hosepipe, it has been necessary to stop the engine altogether. Even then the slight stream which is continued through the nozzle, due to the contraction of the hose or other cause, induces streams of water to spout in the faces of the attendants during the operation of exchanging. Furthermore, it is difficult with the sudden exchange to attain exactly the size of nozzle desired. Consequently the stream is either working too feebly to reach the point desired, or (in order to be sure of sufficient force for that) the engine is working with unnecessary resistance, forcing the water through a smaller nozzle than is necessary. With my invention the fireman can adjust with any amount of delicacy desired.

I propose to make the device of smaller size,

and with a smaller number of the hinged pieces or staves B b, for use in manufactures, washing carriages, and analogous other general and domestic purposes; but I esteem its most important use for fire-engines, operated by hand or by steam.

There is a liability, in operating the hose under excitement, that the piece D may be unscrewed too far, even to the extent of coming off altogether. To prevent this I introduce, in a place sunk for the purpose in the threaded area on the surface of the part A, a spring, I, carrying a stop-head, J, with a beveled end. I drill a hole in the part D, which is a little larger than the beveled head J. WVhen, in the unscrewing of the partD, the hole d therein comes opposite the head J, the action of the spring engages them together, as shown in Fig. 4. This prevents any further unscrewing, while the bevel allows the piece D to be easily turned the other way again to contract the nozzle.

In case it shall be desired to take the piece D off altogether for repairs, it is necessary simply to press in the beveled head J with a penknife or any other suitable instrument introduced through the hole d.

I claim as my invention- 1. The series of overlapping plates or bars B B, forming a nozzle, expanding and contracting, in combination with the fixed part A A and screw-ring D D, as herein specified.

2. The smooth elastic lining Gr, formed with overlapping edges of thin sheet metal, in combination with the adjustable bars B b and adjusting means D D, as herein specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 13th day of July, 1874, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

\VILLIAM LEGGETT.

Witnesses:

W. G. DEY, M A. VAN NAMEE. 

